Historical Background
Nicaea, Kilij Arslan’s capital and home to his treasury, seemed ripe pickings to the massive Frankish horde and on 14 May 1097, Bohemond and the southern Italian Normans made camp before Nicaea’s northern gate, while Godfrey of Bouillon and Robert of Flanders were deployed to the east. The garrison rightly judged that the Turks could not hope to prevail and almost agreed to terms with the emperor’s envoy, but suddenly, changed their minds. Kilij Arslan had returned from the east! He established contact with the Turks in Nicaea and was camped in the wooded hills to the south of the city. The Crusaders were also made aware of Arslan’s arrival when they captured spies the day before Arslan’s planned attack. On the 16th, Raymond of Toulouse arrived just as Arslan’s forces came pouring out of the hills.
Faced with staunch resistance led by Raymond and Baldwin, and struck in the flank by Robert and Godfrey’s cavalry from the east, the Turkish attack soon faltered. Kilij Arslan fled the field to the south, and the city garrison quickly capitulated.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
War Council
Seljuq Turks Army
• Leader: Kilij Arslan I
• 6 Command Cards
• 4 Inspired Actions tokens
• Move First 
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| 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
Crusaders Army
• Leader: Baldwin
• 6 Command Cards
• 4 Inspired Actions tokens
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| 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Victory
5 Banners
Special Rules
- .The river hexes represent the shoreline of Lake Ascania. These hexes and the hexes behind (to the right) of the river hexes are all considered impassable lake hexes.
- All Seljuq Turk Medium and Heavy cavalry units are armed with bows. No need to place bow markers. Some Light Cavalry are armed with bows. Use the proper bow and non-bow Light Cavalry blocks for these different units.
